For those who take rap music as an extension of black culture, iterations of which have previously been called funk, soul and jazz, there is a definite purpose and goal to hip-hop. No bar should be incidental, no verse meaningless. That is exactly how Derrick Prosper aka D Prosper operates when he steps in the booth.

After spending more than a decade behind the scenes as an A&R and executive, helping shape classic albums like Black On Both Sides and aiding powerful artists like deadprez and Jay Electronica, D Prosper is stepping back behind the mic. #ATOM 12.12.12 is a free mixtape of new, original music from the mastermind with the explicit intent of offering enlightening, powerful hardcore hip-hop. No song exemplifies this better than "Know Thy Self."

On the track, Prosper spits with the conviction that many rappers feign but few are able to organically channel in recordings. His vicious delivery is matched with an apocalyptic beat that breaks into triumphant horns during the hook. Potent and fly, this brand of raw rap has been sorely missed.